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Post by benedict on Jul 15, 2017 10:44:29 GMT -8
So I got my first gig (YAY!) Two minutes of narration in the same voice, but two different tones. I'm still trying to work out my recording environment, but the customer was happy so all's good.
Then they sent me a test mix.
THEIR end is fine. But listening to my voice I can't help thinking, "You're too close to the mic. Enunciate more clearly. Stay in the emotion," etc.
There's a possibility of further work with them on the same project. I'd like to address all the issues I heard, but I'm afraid it'll come across as too different to mix in seamlessly. I realize I'm new to this, so I should expect not to be happy with my earlier efforts as I get better. But how do you keep from being disappointed in stuff you just sent out?
And how do you keep that disappointment from stopping you from taking jobs? I got on CCC and there's all sorts of stuff I'd like to audition for. But nagging at the back of my mind are all the problems I saw with that first gig.
Tom
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Post by Rebekah Amber Clark on Jul 15, 2017 11:41:20 GMT -8
I think at some point, it just plain and simple becomes an effort of will to separate what is good for you from what is good for the client. Constantly wanting to change what you've sent someone will come across as unprofessional (e.g. why didn't you do it "right" the first time, then?), shows a lack of confidence (to be fair, it's what you're struggling with and not something to be ashamed of!), and most of all will throw off their production schedule. They've gotten voice files they're happy with -- they need to know they can move forward from here. So, I try to take what I've learned, even recently, and apply it to projects moving forward, rather than looking back.
That's the objective answer.
The emotional answer more or less boils down to that meme -- "Step 1: lie down. Step 2: try not to cry. Step 3: cry a lot." In other words, we'll ALWAYS be our own worst critics. You can't necessarily always keep from being disappointed. It's normal. All creatives, not just VAs, experience this and experience it on a regular basis.
Other than that, trying to be involved in as many things as you can manage at once is helpful. If you're in one project, it's a lot easier to worry and obsess over it than if it's one of several. And if you're busy recording the next thing, you're not dwelling on the last one.
Also, I find a healthy dose of narcissism worked wonders for my ego. I was a terribly sensitive and shy child so I had to DELIBERATELY become a bit of a megalomaniac to counter it. Hey, whatever works, right? If modesty is killing you, kick it to the curb.
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Post by Lady Stardust ★ on Jul 15, 2017 22:38:28 GMT -8
Identify and address the issues you don't like in your performance and work to improve them for next time.
I would avoid making too much of an issue of it with the client, especially if it sounds like they were fine with it. But if it's really bothering you and you know for a fact that you can do better, you could always try sending them an email saying "Hey, I listened to the mix you sent and upon hearing it I realized a few areas where I think I can improve my delivery. I'm sending you a couple of extra takes just in case you want to review them, but if not, no worries!"
If you're finding yourself regularly not so happy with stuff you sent in soon after the fact, spend a little more time on your recordings. Do a couple "test takes" to get comfortable, and you can trash them later if they end up being weaker than your later takes. Listen back critically and try to recognize what needs improvement, especially from a listener or client's point of view (do you sound interesting and pleasant to listen to? Are there any glaring technical flaws that require editing or pickups? Can everything you said be heard and understood clearly?) You don't have to agonize over it, but taking some extra time to do this may make you feel a bit more confident in the work you send out. After all, you can never do more than your best!
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Post by benedict on Jul 15, 2017 23:19:09 GMT -8
I haven't made an issue of it with the client. I haven't told them of my concerns. They're happy, that's what matters. But I do want to identify and address the issues I don't like in my performance, as you said. I want to get better.
Razzle, you're right. I know this is no different than any other creative endeavor. Our director at work has a saying: Perfect is the enemy of good enough. And the customer made clear it's good enough for them. But you're also right that we're our own worst critics.
Ok, off to find something else to audition for.
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duffyweber
Member
Posts: 220
I Am A(n): Professional Voice Actor, Semi-Professional Voice Actor, Audio Engineer
Pronouns: Any OK
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Post by duffyweber on Oct 28, 2017 15:44:14 GMT -8
I haven't made an issue of it with the client. I haven't told them of my concerns. They're happy, that's what matters. But I do want to identify and address the issues I don't like in my performance, as you said. I want to get better. Razzle, you're right. I know this is no different than any other creative endeavor. Our director at work has a saying: Perfect is the enemy of good enough. And the customer made clear it's good enough for them. But you're also right that we're our own worst critics. Ok, off to find something else to audition for. I know I'm WAY late to this party (I'm just getting a free moment to go through all the posts on the board) But I wanted to mention that I'm sure this happens to all of us. I think you've already grasped the important part: the client is happy, and you DON'T want something wildly inconsistent with what you already gave them. Striking a balance in future work by eliminating technical errors but keeping the overall sound profile the same will go a long way. I've been the "same guy" in a radio commercial running out West for three years now, and if you live there, and hear them all the time, you'd THINK they're identical, but if you listen to year 1 and year 3, there's a HUGE improvement in the newer ones, over time. Rebekah's also right. Be proud of your work. You were selected, you did good. Hear something wrong? Don't worry - you'll get better (and the audio engineer didn't catch it either, so how bad can it possibly be?) Wanna feel better about yourself? Start listening to advertisements with a critical ear from an audio engineering standpoint. It's almost as bad as looking around for bad kerning in signs and logos. XD That's not to say you shouldn't strive to improve, but you said yourself it's your FIRST JOB. After your hundredth, you'll worry less. (You not only get better with practice, but a better feel for what's important to remember going forward and what to let go as a one-off technical flurry in the ointment.)
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Oct 29, 2017 4:00:24 GMT -8
What I would say is that it's common to feel disappointed with some of your own work starting out because not everyone is going to start out of the gate with flawlessly polished work- I look back on some of my very early voice acting videos and posts and wish they were better, but I don't get hung up over them because I've had a lot of time since then to gradually improve and do things better, and if you continue doing what you're doing with a critical eye towards what you're doing good and bad, chances are you're going to improve and not only deliver higher-quality work, but you'll also feel a lot more confident in what you do and more satisfied with what you create.
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avalonknight
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Posts: 20
I Am A(n): Writer, Animator, Game Developer, Artist
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Post by avalonknight on Oct 29, 2017 19:18:11 GMT -8
It is natural to feel that way. But a story.
It was presentation time for a web design class. There was a G4 or G5 Mac connected to a projector where it would be shown to the rest of the class. Show off your one or two page website.
One of the common apologies the students would say is "sorry the colors are off due to the projector." Our professor commented, "Do not mention it, the audience outside won't know those mistakes. Let them critique the site as it is".
Of course, this story depends on how far or well you've done, we've done this presentation time every three weeks to show off our progress. Even though I'm quite vague on this story...I think it was back in 2006 when I took that class, it should be noted that you shouldn't beat yourself over tiny mistakes, but to work on the bigger ones...like that horrible cloud effect that I've done that's just a bunch of squiggles with a large pen tool (the class, including myself, hated that one, I remember), and improved with some vastly better ones for the next presentation. (If you know what I mean.)
I know I'm from a different field given I'm not a voice actor, but an artist, but I hope I've given some cross...role...something.
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